Rescued victims
The Ondo state police command says its operatives have uncovered and dismantled a sex trafficking syndicate operating under the guise of job recruitment and social media content creation.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ayanlade Olushola, the police public relations officer (PPRO), said the operation followed weeks of surveillance after reports emerged that unsuspecting young women were being lured to Akure, the state capital, with fake promises of employment opportunities.
“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit stormed an apartment in the Alagbaka area of Akure and arrested one Jayeola Joshua and two other accomplices, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang,” Olushola said.
He said investigations revealed that the syndicate recruited victims from across the country with false offers of jobs such as domestic work, ushering services, and overseas placements.
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“Upon arrival in Akure, 15 young women aged between 20 and 26 were reportedly lodged in a rented apartment in Alagbaka, which served as the base of operations for the illicit business,” he added.
VICTIMS DECEIVED WITH FAKE JOB OFFERS, SOCIAL MEDIA SKITS
According to the PPRO, further investigations showed that the victims were manipulated into sending nude images and videos, which were later transmitted to clients procuring sexual services.
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The suspects, he added, allegedly posed as content creators producing “relationship skits” for social media to conceal their criminal activity.
Olushola said the principal suspect, Jayeola Joshua, received the largest share of the proceeds while deceiving the victims into believing they were working in a legitimate business.
“The police also discovered that the apartment was rented specifically to facilitate the illegal trade. The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has directed that the landlords of the property be invited for questioning to determine their level of complicity in the matter,” he said.
He added that all rescued victims have been taken to the Police Hospital in Akure for medical attention, psychological evaluation, and counselling.
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The case, he noted, has been transferred to the command’s gender desk unit for further investigation and rehabilitation of the victims.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered that all arrested suspects face prosecution, while efforts continue to track down the remaining members of the gang,” he said.
Olushola urged parents and guardians to verify the authenticity of job offers and recruitment agents before allowing their children to travel.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies, underscoring that community partnership remains crucial in the fight against crime.
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